Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-05-19

of the reund-house was being opened.
Softly and stealthily it moved. and. as
the opening became larger and larger,
perceived that the weather had
cleared. flor the mopnlight plainly
showed me the dark shadows Of several
men. s,EsSEIfsE 81
Slowly, inch by inch the frail wood
en- thing that separated US from these
midnight robbers was removed. though
every now and then a stoppage oc-
Cured, as l saw the shadow nearest
the door bend down in .. listening at
titude. No doubt convinced. by our
snoring and heavy breathing lfor :
now slammed sleep myself, the man
at the door swung it quite open. Just
then a ray of moonlight glittered like
streak of fire upon something in his
hand.
9 Softly and silently put one hand be-
hind me and felt for weapon with
which todefend myself. But nothing
could I find; my hand came in contact
with nothing but coils of rope. And
now my heart was beating and pal
pitating with great heaves and throbs
that could be heard, for the intruder
was coming toward me, knife in hand,
and1 dare not obey the promptings of
fear by springing up to combat him or
escape. No, had to endure the terrible
suspense ofremaining perfectly still and
quiet. shammin G sleep, when knew not
whether. the next instant would find his
knife in my heart or merely his hand
in my pocket. Fortunately I had self
possession enough both to know that
the latter was by far his most likely
intention, and to remain perfectly
quiet whilst waiting for the proof; but
it was terrible. work, and felt the
great beads of Precipitation rolling
down my forehead. cold as had been
but few moments before, whilst every
nerve thrilled. with keen and exquis-
lite sense of mental agony Never, as
long as I live, can be forgotten the
feelings that experienced during that
long. long moment.
With powerful effort managed to
restrain the almost irrepressible shud-
der that began to creep over my flesh
as felt the hands of the secret enemy
upon me.
knew now why the wretches had
refused to leave lantern with us
they feared that it might. keep us
awake.
BY the faint light of the moon had
seen the dark form of the Greek cap
tain bending over me, holding long
and formidable poniard between his
teeth, while, with the adroitness of a
practiced thief, he softly, almost. i'm
perceptibly, and rapidly ran his hands
over my clothes and pockets.
The pale light in the place contrast
ed with the lurid glare of the Greeks
fierce black eyes. 1t was a dark
swarthy, ill-favored face, and itsscrue
ruthless expression told how little
eompunction its possessor would have
had in cutting our throats-
The tremor of my limbs, as violent
ly repressed the inclination to shudder,
perhaps startled him, for with one
hand he suddenly snatehed his dagger,
and held the point within an inch of
my throat, whilst with the other abb
stracting all the wealth about me-a
sum of five roubles.
Then the Internal scoundrel passed
on to the boy, found nothing there, and
crept upon cur captain.
The head of the '.old man" had
slipped off his pill ''ditty-bag,
into which the plunderer's hands were
quickly thrust. He was there but one
moment, then stepped quickly back,
sprang lightly over me, and was out of
the round-house, the metallic chink as
he went telling that he had obtained
the money. = - .
WAITED some time. perhaps an hour,
then went on deck. TWAS fine night
now. The moon was high and bri ght
in the heavens. and leading wind be-
tween our vessel and the shore was
blowing fresh and steady. went for
ward to the Greek on anchor-watch,
got him to help me, and hauled the
long boat alongside. Then l went
back to the round-house, awakened the
boy and captain, told the latter of the
change in the weather, and hurried
him into the boat without giving hum
time to search his bag. which was care
fully deposited in the stern-sheets,
minus the cash for which all the care
was taken. "a -~
waited until the Greek Xebec was
out5of sight. andswe. were within half
a mile of the good old Mary Jane, be-
fore telling the captain of his loss.
At first he was furious, and repeat
edly called upon the name of Jehosa-
phat in vain, but he soon agreed that
by keeping quiet had saved our lives,
though he called upon the above-men-
toned ancient Bible King to witness
an oath that he wosld recover the
money from the Grecian robber.
1t was about two o clock in the morn
ing when we crossed our vessels gang
way.
Call all hands, sirr' said Captain
Dobson, the moment we touched her
decks. ......-...-.
The men, astonished at so unexpected
summons, came running aft in every
style of deshabille.
In i few and forcible words their
commander told them of his loss, and
called upon them to support him in
taking the law into his own hands and
recovering the money. .
A loud and hearty British cheer was
the response. Arms were brought on
deck, the Mary Jane was left in charge
of the boy and the cook; then all the